Wouldn’t it be nice to walk into a tack store and buy all brand-new goodies? Unfortunately, most of us don’t have an unlimited amount of money to buy horse equipment and supplies, but there are ways to save money and use it wisely as you shop for what you need. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep you from breaking the bank:
-Make a checklist (link here) to help with budgeting and to keep track of what you need.
-Set a budget before you start shopping and stick to it. A little bit of flexibility is ok, but stay in your price range.
-Save up. Try saving money in other areas or save a certain amount of what you make to go towards paying for tack.
-Consider used. Buying used tack is the way to go when it comes to saving money. You don’t really need the best, most expensive, brand-new of everything at first, just look for good quality and fit.
-Check local tack stores. These stores generally have experienced staff that know what they’re doing and will be able to help you find exactly what you need. Some stores also sell used or consignment items.
-Check with people you know. Ask friends, trainers, and fellow riders if they have anything on your list. If they don’t, they might know someone who would.
-Post on Facebook or other social media. A quick ISO (in search of) post could hook you up with a great deal on tack. Connections on social media are vast, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
-Facebook Marketplace. It can have great deals, it’s easy to search on, and you can search both locally and nationally.
-Ebay. Another good option to find discounted tack, but you will probably have to pay shipping, which can get quite expensive for heavier items like saddles.
-Discount sites. There are some discount tack websites out there that have good selections, but sometimes they’re discounted because the items are flawed or of lesser quality. They usually don’t carry a ton of big brand name items or more expensive ones, but their stuff is inexpensive and it works.
-Local tack sales/auctions. These don’t happen very often but there is generally a good selection of tack at good prices and they sometimes benefit charities or fundraisers.
-Beware of buying online. Fit, quality, and return policies are all important considerations when buying tack online. Sites like Amazon can be good for buying more basic items, but it’s not generally a good idea to buy something like a saddle online, sight unseen, unless you already know exactly what you want and need and that it will fit properly.
-Gifts! Use opportunities like Christmas and your birthday to ask for tack that you need or gift cards and gift certificates to places that you can get what you need. You could even ask relatives to start a pool to help you buy tack instead of traditional gifts. After all, we’ve all been asked what we want as gifts and haven’t been able to come up with anything.
At the end of the day, you can only afford what you can afford. Certain things are essential while others can be lived without. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for the tack that you buy for whatever reason, just do what you have to do to be able to enjoy your horse.
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